Earth Month Hero – Teacher of the Day

April 1: Ben Kay

“Ben inspires his students by bringing his passion for the environment and environmental issues into his classroom and challenging his students to go beyond the classroom.” –Renee Semik, Principal, Santa Monica High School

Santa Monica High School - Santa Monica

April 2: Bill Kulencavich

“His students relate very well to Bill and he is always willing to teach and encourage students to perform to their full potential.” –Gayle Bailey, Friend

Dodson Middle School - Rancho Palos Verdes

April 3: Candace Leuthold

“Candace believes we must do what it takes to get all students involved in a successful academic experience; this means showing students the connectedness of the subjects they study to the local environment, particularly at Back Bay.“ –Joanne Treffner, Colleague

Early College High School - Costa Mesa

April 4: Carol Kemp

“Mrs. Carol Kemp is an outstanding innovative science teacher. She instills the love of science and a passion for preserving our natural resources in students.“ - Elizabeth Eminhizer, Principal, Goddard Middle School

Goddard Middle School - Glendora

April 5: Dana Martens

“Dana’s dedication to the environment and educating students on how to conserve and the gift of giving back is a life lesson that goes far beyond the classroom.“ –Kirsten Levitin, Principal, Dales Junior High School

Dale Junior High School - Anaheim

April 6: Delores Dang-Wright

“She is a motivator of our young adults, improving their environmental awareness, while helping to prepare many of them for careers in the field of environmental sciences and ocean studies.” –Kenneth Nedler, Director of Student Activities, Dana Hills High School

Dana Point High School - Dana Point

April 7: Elizabeth Kerr

“Elizabeth (Lisa) Kerr is one of those remarkable instructors who literally models what she expects from her students, friends, and family every moment of her life. When I was informed of the Earth Month Heroes Award I instantly thought of Lisa and how she exemplifies the tenets of your foundation.” –Duncan Wilson, Colleague

San Clemente High School - San Clemente

April 9: Fran Delaney-Barron

“Ms. Barron inspires her students to take action, including a yearly field trip to clean up the beaches, and Friday recycling days with profits always going back to an environmental cause (i.e. funds to purchase recycled paper for the school).” –Meg Jimenez, Principal, Niemes Elementary

Niemes Elementary School - Artesia

April 10: Ginger Demers

“Mrs. Demers has inspired me in numerous ways to help change the human’s ill effect on the environment. Her first impression on us started just walking by her class and seeing that she kept a compost box in her room and encouraged her students to use to dispose of their biodegradable food there.” –David Drain, Student, Rio Hondo Preparatory School

Rio Hondo Preparatory School - Arcadia

April 11: Greg Gardiner

“Greg makes science come alive, in the classroom, and out in the world, by getting students excited about how they can make a local difference in our global community.” –Nancy Caruso, Colleague

Huntington Beach High School - Huntington Beach

April 12: Jeff Cornelius

“Mr. Cornelius (AKA Mr. C) is a teacher that puts a lot of time, effort and energy into his students. Science is not an easy subject to teach, but Mr. C really gets the kids involved so they may understand the science world.” –Michelle Stevens, Parent

Lexington Junior High School - Cypress

April 15: John Karns

“Mr. Karns has donated hundreds of hours to trips with his classes to the Catalina Island Marine Institute, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and SeaWorld to expose students to ecological concepts, marine biology, and ocean preservation.” –Angie Hong, Student, Cypress High School

Cypress High School - Cypress

April 17: Judy Riemenschneider

"My goal as a science educator is that my students possess the knowledge and critical thinking skills to understand the world around them and the ability to use their knowledge to become empowered and engaged participants in their communities. I strongly believe that all living things are entitled to a healthy environment, including clean air and water, and that education and community action are the principal tools to achieving this aim. I am motivated by the amazing students, parents, educators and families I work with in the South Los Angeles community each day."

John C Fremont High School - Los Angeles

April 18: Mary Simun

“Mary’s enthusiasm for biology and environmental issues is contagious, and her classroom comes alive as she shares her knowledge, expertise and passion.” –Amy Golden, Assistant Principal, Redondo Union High School

Redondo Union High School - Redondo Beach

April 19: Matthew Morrissey

“Instead of delivering boring lectures and assigning tests and quizzes each week, Mr. Morrissey’s classroom has transformed into a student-centered learning environment which engages students in becoming change agents for earth-positive solutions. Students become empowered and inspired citizens who want to make a difference in their community and who are passionate about leading this change.” –Jenni Taylor, Principal, Environmental Charter High School

Environmental Charter High School - Lawndale

April 20: Michael Gower

“Mike is an incredibly resourceful and creative teacher. He works with partner organizations, such as Re-Discover Art to collect recycled/re-used materials to use for his art projects, all of which have an environmental theme.” –Alison Suffet Diaz, School Administrator, Environmental Charter High School

Environmental Charter High School - Lawndale

April 21: Mike Trimmel

“Mike’s influence goes beyond students to reach each student, teacher, and administrator in the Little Lake City School District as he has led the pathway to reducing energy consumption with a total cost avoidance to date of over 400,000 dollars.” –David Grant, Principal, Lakeside Middle School

Lakeside Middle School - Norwalk

April 22: Mimi Phillips

“In today’s day and age you won’t see Mimi Philips’ classes sitting and learning with a pencil and paper. She writes grants to fund projects and she is also very creative in finding resources to fund fieldtrips. Learning in her class is never boring!” –Michele Pizzorno, Colleague

Marina High School - Huntington Beach

April 28: Vivian Okoro

“Mrs. Okoro has through her teachings, demonstrated three important life-long learning that can be part of each student’s life practice for years to come – First, keeping a green environment through recycling; Second, showing compassion for each other and people less fortunate by being a global citizen; Third, having an attitude of gratitude for what we have.” –Diane Mongelli, Horizon PAU/San Gabriel High School